Experimental manipulation of psychosocial exposure and questionnaire sensitivity in a simulated manufacturing setting.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of experimental manipulations of psychosocial exposures and to evaluate the sensitivity of a psychosocial questionnaire by determining the factors perceived.


METHODS
A 50-item questionnaire was developed from the job content questionnaire (JCQ) and the quality of worklife survey (QWL). The experiment involved simulated work at different physical and psychosocial levels. Forty-eight participants were exposed to two levels of one psychosocial manipulation (job control, job demands, social support, or time pressure).


RESULTS
Significantly different questionnaire responses supported the effectiveness of psychosocial manipulations. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five factors: skill discretion and decision authority, stress level and supervisor support, physical demands, quality of coworker support, and decision-making support.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that psychosocial factors can be manipulated experimentally, and that questionnaires can distinguish perceptions of these factors. These questionnaires may be used to assess perceptions of psychosocial factors in experimental settings.
Ikuma
Laura H
LH
Construction Management and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. likuma@lsu.edu
Babski-Reeves
Kari
K
Nussbaum
Maury A
MA
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult